Signs and symptoms
... A malaria infection is generally characterized by recurrent attacks with the following signs and symptoms: Moderate to severe shaking chills High fever Profuse sweating as body temperature falls Gener...

Causes
... A one-celled parasite, plasmodium, causes malaria. About 170 species of plasmodium exist, but only four cause malaria in humans: P. falciparum. This species, predominant in Africa, produces the most s...

Risk factors
... If you live in or are traveling to a place where malaria is widespread, you could become infected. People who live in a malaria region may acquire some immunity to the disease during their lifetime. A...

When to seek medical advice
... Because malaria infection often initially appears to be a flu-like illness or some other viral disease, be wary if you develop an illness with fever while living in a malaria-endemic area or within 12...

Screening and diagnosis
... After noting your symptoms and travel history, your doctor will likely obtain a sample (smear) of your blood for observation under a microscope. Two blood samples, taken at six- and 12- hour intervals...